From: "Phil Rembleski" <PHIl@rescuechurchofchrist.org>

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Thu, Jul 18, 2024 at 5:10 AM

Subject: 7-18-24 THOUGHTS

7-18-24   THOUGHTS  

Some thoughts on eschatology (end times thinking) this morning.  Here, we are to consider that all that we see will be “dissolved” and therefore we should reasonably behave according to God’s ways!  Permanent-Eternal is not this world!  The surprise element of our Lord’s return is stated.  Our continual READINESS is a major NT theme.  In our heart of readiness, we are encouraged be excited about His coming.  We are told to “look for and hasten the coming day of God!”  Jude 1:21  keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.  Rom 8:23  And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for [our] adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.

2Pet 3:8-14    But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day.  9  The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. 10  But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up. 11  Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,  12  looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat! 13  But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.  14  Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless,

My Prayer:
Lord, help us to think not of today but of eternity.  Excite us continually about Your plans for us in the world to come.  Keep us from the distractions of the short-term... temporary.  Teach us to “wait eagerly” for what matters.  Help our spirits to groan for You, O God.  Give us a closer relationship with You each day.  Let love grow in us and overcome.  May  we live love as we “ready ourselves for  the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.”
In the name of Jesus,    Amen.